The Ultimate Day Trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen: Transport, Itinerary & Tips

A day trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen is one of the best ways to spend time in Northern Morocco. Tucked away in the towering Rif mountain range, Chefchaouen is called the Blue Pearl, with an old city painted in every shade from cerulean to indigo. It’s small enough to enjoy in a single day but rich enough to never get bored, with photo ops around every corner, cultural sites to visit, and plenty of rooftop terraces to kick back and soak in the sights from.

I spent nearly six months living in Chefchaouen — first in a local neighborhood at the base of the city and then in a duplex situated inside the medina. Living here gave me valuable firsthand insight into how to spend one day in Chefchaouen in order to maximize your time and see the best of the blue village.

Located a hop and a skip from Tangier, a Chefchaouen day trip shouldn’t be missed. This article takes the guesswork out of planning with a full itinerary, transport options, points of interest, and local tips to make the most of your day.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about how to take a day trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen.

Day Trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen Itinerary

For inspiration on how to spend one day in Chefchaouen, here’s a sample itinerary that will help you make the most of the time you have in the Blue City. I recommend starting the day early so you can maximize your visit — you can always snooze in the taxi (although this means missing out on the splendid views).

This is what you can expect:

• 7:00 AM — Departure from Tangier

• 9:30 AM — Arrival in Chefchaouen

• 9:45 AM — Breakfast in Chefchaouen

• 10:30 AM — Explore the Medina

• 11:30 AM — Visit the Kasbah

• 1:00 PM — Lunch

• 2:30 PM — Relax at Ras El Maa

• 4:00 PM — Hike to the Spanish Mosque

• 6:00 PM — Explore more of the Medina or local neighborhoods

• 7:00 PM — Dinner

• 8:30 PM — Depart for Tangier

• 11:00 PM — Arrival in Tangier

This itinerary is completely opened ended, so feel free to adjust it based on your preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a deep dive into each part of the day, the best local spots to hit, and more tips for the best day trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen.

How to Get from Tangier to Chefchaouen

First thing’s first: getting from Tangier to Chefchaouen. The easiest way to travel between the two cities is by using a large shared taxi. The ride costs 70 dirhams per person, and you’ll share it with locals or other travelers headed to Chefchaouen.

To take a shared taxi to Chefchaouen, make your way to the grand taxi station across from the CTM bus terminal in Tangier. Find the dispatcher (normally in a neon vest) and tell him you’d like to go to Chefchaouen. He’ll point you to a specific taxi, where you’ll wait for other travelers. Once all the seats are full, you’ll be on your way.

Shared taxis tend to fill up quickly, however, depending on the time and day, you may need to wait a little while. If it’s taking too long, you can always pay for the extra seat(s) to leave before the car is completely full.

Alternatively, you can take a CTM bus from Tangier to Chefchaouen. The journey is slightly longer, but it’s always a safe bet. When you arrive in Chefchaouen, transport is well organized, with the taxi and bus stations located right next to each other.

Otherwise, if you’re truly pressed for time, you can always rent a car and drive yourself or book a private transfer from Tangier. It’s more expensive, but will get you to the Blue City without wasting any time. If you choose to take private transit, I highly recommend organizing this in advance at your accommodation in Tangier. Ensure you agree on a set price beforehand so there are no surprises when you arrive.

The ride to Chefchaouen from Tangier is breathtaking and part of the charm of the day trip, in my opinion. It’s a winding route through the mountains, with lush greenery, emerald lakes, and charming villages along the way.

For more in depth information about how to get to Chefchaouen, check out my complete guide.

Arrival in Chefchaouen: First Glimpses at the Blue City

If you take a taxi or the bus to Chefchaouen, you’ll arrive at the base of the city. You’ll need to walk uphill for about ten minutes to reach the medina gates. You can also take a taxi if you’d rather save your energy.

After two hours in the car and an early start, you’ll probably be feeling a bit peckish. Start your Chefchaouen day trip with a spot of breakfast to fuel up for the day.

My favorite place to enjoy an early morning meal is Triana, an upscale restaurant with sweeping views of the mountains and valley below. They have a great breakfast deal with coffee, orange juice, and a fresh croissant for 28 dirhams ($2.80). If you prefer more local flavors, they also have breakfast sets that include local fish, cheese, salads, jams, olives, and bread, with eggs available a la carte.

If you prefer an even more scenic setting, make a beeline for Cafe Clock where you can indulge in spiced Berber eggs, avocado toast, and even pancakes with fresh fruit.

In my experience, Cafe Clock has exceptionally slow service. Though it’s hard to complain when you see the view from the rooftop terrace nestled in the heart of the blue medina. But this is worth keeping in mind if you only have one day in Chefchaouen and may not want to spend half of it waiting for breakfast.

Morning in Chefchaouen: Exploring the Medina and Kasbah

After you’ve eaten your fill, it’s time to start exploring. Chefchaouen’s old city is the most picturesque in Morocco, painted entirely blue with a backdrop of towering mountains, rushing rivers, and rolling green hills.

Strolling in the Medina

Spend the first part of your morning exploring the labyrinth streets built into the mountainside. The small roads in the medina are steep, slippery, and include plenty of stairs, so good walking shoes are essential. Take extra care if it’s a bit wet as the stone streets become crazy slick.

While you wander around the blue old city, especially in the early morning, you’ll get a glimpse of local life. Villagers will be gathered drinking tea, sharing bread for breakfast, and chattering to kids on their way to school. As the shops begin to open, the streets will rapidly become lined with technicolor rugs, sparkling silver jewelry, local handicrafts, and bright Moroccan clothing spilling out of small storefronts.

It may be tempting to fill your pockets and bags with souvenirs as soon as you see all that Chefchaouen has on offer, but this means you’ll have to carry your treasures around for the rest of the day. Take some time to figure out what you’d like to bring back (if anything) and return at the end of the day to purchase it.

If you’ve been to other cities in Morocco like Marrakech or Fes, you’ll likely find shopping Chefchaouen to be more reasonably priced. You can still bargain, but I’ve found locals to be fair here, especially if you meet them with kindness.

Important Note: While exploring the medina, you’ll find plenty of photo ops. It’s as if the city was designed for Instagram. But believe it or not, Chefchaouen is a real village and has a thriving local population. Take your pictures, but please be respectful of those who reside here. When I lived in Chefchaouen, there was nothing worse than shouting tourists under my window snapping pictures at my front door. And I’m not even Moroccan!

Check Out the Kasbah

Kasbah is the Arabic word for ‘fortress’ and often refers to the fortified district of a city. Chefchaouen is home to a modest, yet astoundingly beautiful kasbah that offers some of the best views of the blue medina.

The kasbah is located in Chefchaouen’s main square, Utta el Hamman and can be entered with a 60 dirham fee. Once inside the gates, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the history of Chefchaouen’s kasbah and the city through various displays. Though the true draw to the kasbah are the manicured gardens and unmatched views of the blue city from the tall lookout.

It doesn’t take too long to visit and is definitely the top “cultural attraction” in Chefchaouen, so it’s worth building it into your day trip itinerary.

Yummy Local Lunch

As your day ramps up, so will your appetite, so around 1 PM, it’ll be time to stop for lunch. There are no shortage of great restaurants in Chefchaouen, but not all are created equal.

You’ll find dozens of eateries on the main square outside of the kasbah — I’ve eaten at them all and Morisco is by far the best. Everyone will be vying for your attention, thrusting menus in your face. I highly recommend bypassing them and heading straight to the top floor of Morisco to soak in gorgeous vistas of the main square while chowing down on one of the best tajines in Chefchaouen.

Other great places to eat on a Chefchaouen day trip include:

• Bab Ssour — the most well known restaurant in Chefchaouen with local delicacies and speedy service.
• Cafe Al Baraka — located outside of the medina, you can have a huge meal of roast chicken, fries, rice, salad, gravy and bread for a couple of bucks.
• Khalfoun Cafe — if you’re craving a smoothie, head to this cafe on the far side of the main square next to the taxi stand. Ask for a ‘zaza’ which is a blended drink filled with avocado, banana, dates, and other local fruits. It’s super filling and prime for a fast lunch. The cafe also makes incredible omelet sandwiches. Get it spicy, trust me.
• Mandala — if you need a break from Moroccan cuisine, Mandala has a menu of pizza, pasta, and burgers.

The good news is almost anywhere you choose will have a terrace offering splendid views of Chefchaouen and the surrounding Rif mountains.

Afternoon in Chefchaouen: Spanish Mosque, Ras El Maa, Final Medina Stroll

Once you’ve wrapped up lunch, the day continues with a walk to the Spanish Mosque sitting on top of a hill overlooking the medina before a bit of chill time.

Walking to the Spanish Mosque

The Spanish Mosque is one of the best views of the city and an iconic Chaouen landmark. It shouldn’t be missed on a Chefchaouen day trip, especially since it’s not a long or super strenuous walk (although it is uphill).

To find the Spanish Mosque walking track, head to the Ras El Maa river, on the eastern side of the medina. Cross the river and follow the uphill path (the road is labeled Bouzaafer on Google Maps). After about 15 or 20 minutes of walking, you’ll arrive on top of the hill, at the base of the Spanish Mosque. You can’t actually enter the building unless you’re Muslim, but you can soak in the sights and enjoy a mint tea or fresh orange juice at the cafe next door.

Since the late afternoon light sets the city on fire, you can also walk to the Spanish Mosque at the end of your day trip to catch the beginning of sunset. Temperatures will also be cooler later in the day if you’re visiting Chefchaouen during the scorching summer months.

Cool Off at Ras El Maa River or Continue Exploring

Once you’ve had enough of the vantage point, return the way you came and find a spot along the river to chill out for a bit. There are plenty of cafes — on a hot day, choose one with tables in the river so you can dip your feet in the water while you enjoy a beverage.

If you don’t need the extra time to refuel, return to the medina for a last stroll and shopping excursion. Now’s the time to make your purchases and stock up on anything you’d like to bring back to Tangier with you.

Alternatively, if you’ve seen enough of the blue city, exit the old city walls and get a glimpse of true local life in Chefchaouen. The neighborhoods surrounding the medina are where the village comes alive away from the beaten tourist track. The streets are lined with Berber farmers selling their crops, small shops, bakeries, marketplaces, and little local eateries. Most people who take a day trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen don’t make it outside of the medina. But if you want a true understanding of Chefchaouen, it’s well worth strolling around the other neighborhoods.

Dinner in Chefchaouen

As the light begins to fade, it’ll be time for one final meal to close out your Chefchaouen day trip before returning to Tangier. Of course, it’s only fitting to eat on a rooftop to soak in final views of the city. But due to the mountain location, a chill falls over Chefchaouen as soon as the sun sets. Be sure to bring an extra layer so you can eat dinner outside free from goosebumps.

If you want to eat at one of the most popular restaurants in Chefchaouen like Bab Ssour or Cafe Clock, it’s worth calling ahead to reserve a table so you don’t have to wait when you arrive.

Depart from Chefchaouen for Tangier

With a full belly and tired legs, it’s time to close out your Chefchaouen day trip and return to Tangier. Head downhill back to the station and either hop on a bus or take a big shared taxi. The only downside to leaving after dinner is you may need to wait a little while for the taxi to fill up. If no one else is heading to Tangier that evening, you may need to pay for the extra seats in order to make it back before midnight.

In all honesty, I’ve done the drive between Tangier and Chefchaouen dozens of times, always in a big taxi. Given the mountainous nature of the road, I always prefer to travel before it’s totally dark. It’s not entirely necessary, but this may be a consideration for some travelers, especially if you need some extra peace of mind. If this is the case, you can always skip dinner and grab a bite to eat in Tangier when you get back.

Tips for Making the Most of One Day in Chefchaouen

Now that you have the complete low down on a Chefchaouen day trip from Tangier, I’ll leave you with some final tips to really enjoy your one day in Chefchaouen.

• Wear comfortable shoes — instead of sliding around the steep streets of Chefchaouen, save yourself the hassle and wear decent walking shoes. Blundstones are my top recommendation, and honestly anything with a bit of traction and a closed toe will do the trick. I don’t recommend sandals because many of the roads are uneven.

• Keep cash on hand — if you want to buy anything on your day trip to Chefchaouen, you’ll need cash as nowhere accepts credit cards. There’s an ATM at the base of the medina on Boulevard Hassan 2, across from the cemetery.

• Modest dress is recommended — Chefchaouen gives a taste of mountain village life, and while the city is no stranger to tourists, it’s still important to respect the local population and dress modestly. I recommend covering your shoulders and knees — think flowy pants, maxi skirts and dresses, and oversized t-shirts.

• Be aware of the hash industry — The Rif mountains are home to a thriving hashish industry. It’s likely you’ll be proposed a tour of the cannabis fields or offered hash to buy from locals, especially around the gates of the medina. A simple no thank you does the trick. But don’t be surprised when you smell it being smoked!

• Local guides aren’t necessary — You may be offered a local guide, a trip to neighboring Akchour, or another tour by individuals. These really aren’t necessary on a day trip to Chefchaouen, so you can politely decline and keep walking.

• Consider shoulder seasons — The best time to visit Chefchaouen is in the shoulder seasons when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourist crowds. Consider this when planning your Chefchaouen day trip.

FAQs About a Day Trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen

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